NAD Files Comments with FCC on Video Relay Services

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD), as part of the National Video Relay Services Coalition (NVRSC), filed comments with the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) insisting on speed of answer rules for Video Relay Services (VRS).

The NAD argued that 85% of all VRS calls be answered by the VRS call center within 10 seconds. VRS providers either wanted more time—starting at three times as long (30 seconds) or no rule requiring quick answers by the call centers.

"Deaf and hard of hearing customers are tired of long waits before they can call anybody. Speed of answer rules will provide customers with access to telephone services and be a step closer to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)’s requirement for functional equivalency," stated Kelby Brick, NAD Director of Law and Advocacy.

The NVRSC is an ad hoc group that includes the following organizations, in addition to the NAD: the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), Association for Late Deafened Adults (ALDA), California Coalition of Agencies Serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCASDHH), Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network (DHHCAN), Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Government (DHHIG), Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID), Student Body Government of Gallaudet University (SBG), and Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. (TDI).

"These consumers have come together to push for equal access to telephone services through VRS because this issue is so important. I am proud of the strong stance being taken by the consumer organizations," continued Brick.

The comments can be read at:
www.nad.org/vrs [2]